#15: Sellout Crowd Watches Admirals Defeat Hershey in Overtime

The Admirals 25th home opener on October 11 is just 15 days away! So we are counting down the days recognizing 25 memorable moments in the 25 years of Admirals Hockey, in a segment we call 25 in 25. Each day we will highlight a great moment in the Admirals proud 25-year history to get you set for the 2013-14 home opener!

#15: 1st AHL Sellout & 5-4 Overtime Win Over Hershey

A couple of firsts have taken place when the Admirals and the Hershey Bears get together. The Admirals first ever AHL game took place at the Norfolk Scope on October 6, 2000. Despite the presentation of a five-pound Hershey's Kiss to the Admirals by the Bear's Booster Club, this night wasn't so sweet for the Admirals. The American Hockey League's oldest franchise (Hershey) defeated the league's youngest (Norfolk) by a score of 3-1.

As time passed the two teams would continue to showcase memorable games and moments, and eventually the series and developed into a rivalry.

On January 26, 2007, another first took place between the two teams as the Admirals had their first sellout of the AHL era. The crowd of 8,784 was treated to another great matchup with Hershey, and an even more memorable finish.

The Admirals entered the third period with a 4-2 lead, but in typical Hershey fashion they found away to make things interesting. A pair of current NHL players David Steckel and Tomas Fleischmann scored to tie the game at four.

The Admirals struggled in its own zone throughout the course of the game, and was outshot 35-22 by the Bears. However, current Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford bailed Norfolk out of trouble, and was able to make a number of clutch saves to help send the game to overtime.

With 19 seconds remaining in the extra session, Craig MacDonald beat goaltender Nolan Schaefer with a shot that ripped high into the corner of the net to seal the 5-4 overtime win for Norfolk.

It may have been a game in late January, but it said a lot about the passion for hockey in Hampton Roads. In that inaugural game back in 2000, there were some folks who were not quite sold on the idea of this jump to the American Hockey League. As MacDonald's shot lit the lamp on this January 2007 night, and the Scope's roof nearly blew off when the sellout crowd roared to its feet; there was no doubt that everyone had bought in.

Regardless the time period, the personnel, the league; for 25 years the Admirals faithful have always been there in support of their team.

Thank you Admirals fans!

Tomorrow on 25 in 25, we will relive moment #14 as we countdown to the Admirals home opener on October 11!

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The 25th season of Admirals hockey opens on October 5 at Hartford. The Admirals home opener will take place on Friday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m. against the Binghamton Senators.

The Admirals play host to the Charlotte Checkers in a preseason exhibition at Scope this Saturday, beginning at 7:15 p.m. Tickets for the preseason game are now on sale for $10.

Game tickets are available through the Norfolk Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com.

Don’t miss a minute of Admirals action by purchasing your season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals’ Administrative Offices at Scope, or call (757) 640-1212 Office hours are Monday - Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fans can also visit us online at www.norfolkadmirals.com